Changes to ESO Payment Model

Buy To Play

The Elder Scrolls Online is moving to a “buy-to-play” payment model after March 17th 2015, meaning that customers can now play ESO for free once they have purchased the game and created an account. No subscription will be required. A subscription option will exist, however, and this is called ESO Plus.

ESO Plus

ESO Plus is the same price as the current subscription plans ($14.99 / Month) and will offer various bonuses.

Free Game Pack Downloads (DLC) – These are like expansions and may include new zones and quests. Wrothgar Zone is expected to be the first of these Game Packs.

10% Increased Experience Gain

10% Increased Gold Gain (From Drops)

10% Increased Crafting Experience

10% Reduced Research Times

1500 Crowns / Month – These can be spent in the Crown Store.

Crown Store

The Crown Store is the new ESO Shop which will sell in-game items such as costumes, mounts and Game Packs for Crowns. Crowns are purchased in packs with real-world currency and/ or received each month with an ESO Plus subscription. If you purchase the game, or have already purchased the game, you will receive 500 starting Crowns. Returning players and current players will receive 100 Crowns for every month they were subscribed previously.

The developers of ESO have stated that “all items in the Crown Store are completely optional and are meant to enhance your game play experience, they are not required to play or compete in the game” and that the Crown Store will offer “convenience and customization items for your characters as well as services and content” but not items which will increase a players effectiveness in combat or leveling. ZOS have stated that they do not want to create a “pay-to-win” model where players must spend real-world currency on items in order to compete in the game.

The Crown Store is going to open with items such as costumes and mounts. The following has been seen in a video release by ZOS.